Impression From Myanmar (Mused By Canon EOS M)

Hi folks. Here are some impressions and pics from Yangon in Myanmar. Canon's mirrorless camera, the EOS M, is doing fine as travel companion. It is compact, doesn't get noticed (good for street photography), and it is robustly build. I appreciate the light weight, the sharp EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens, the well working image stabilization. And for sure it copes with heat and humidity better than I am doing. :-)

The auto focus didn't really let me alone so far, but it is true: I often wish it was faster. The best thing is to experiment around and to get an idea about how it works, and what setting works best for the need of the moment. I am mainly using Flexizone Single mode. Another point that I don't like is not having a flippable display. It would make some street shots easier, think candids. Though here people really likes to get photographed (but you always have to ask). The flippable display is something I wish Canon had added to the EOS M (along with a faster AF). If the AF is not working well enough, use a hyper-focal approach.

The EOS M is not a DSLR, though it has an APS-C sized sensor, and it has to used keeping this in mind. That's sometimes puzzling me, I guess I have to change my mindset a little bit. Am I missing the DSLR? Except for the times I need fast AF coupled with higher burst rate and fast tracking, not really. Having a camera such weight lighted yet delivering DSLR like image quality makes things easier in the tropics.

Pros and Cons update:

Pros:

It does anything you need, you have a DSLR in pocket format

a good allrounder

reliable results, even in difficult conditions

Cons:

It is not the best MILC for street photography

Battery lasts too little

AF!

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

 

Yet Another Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Review

Image credit: The Phoblographer

The Phoblographer posted their Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM review. Another very positive review of Canon’s cheap and sharp pancake lens. The reviewer was

[…] was extremely surprised with the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens, the image quality delivered was beyond what I expected from a lens at this price point. I do wish the manual focus feel was a bit more responsive, and the AF speed just a touch faster, but I can certainly live with it as-is and have no issues. For $150 (as of Nov’ 2012) I feel like this should be a no-brainer purchase if you want the smallest lens that Canon currently produces.

Pros and cons:

  • Tiny physical size
  • Accurate AF
  • MFD under 12″
  • Very, very good image quality
  • Better AF during live-view (on STM friendly cameras like the T4i)
  • Highly Flare Resistant
  • Inexpensive!
Minuses:
  • Electronic AF  motor means camera has to be powered on to retract lens
  • Slight lag when manually focusing
  • Not quite as fast as Canon’s USM lenses
  • Manual focusing ring is tiny (though this is unavoidable given the size of the lens)

Sample pics are provided. Check it out!

Product specs:

  • Continuous Autofocus for Video With T4i
  • Bright f/2.8 Aperture
  • Lightweight 4.6 oz Lens
  • Unobtrusive–Less Than 1″ Long
  • Aspherical Element–High Image Quality
  • Optimized Coatings Reduce Ghost & Flare
  • Exceptional Color Balance
  • 7-Blade Diaphragm for Beautiful Bokeh
  • Close Focusing to 11.81″
  • 64mm Equivalent If Used on APS-C Camera

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EOS M Sample Pics From Bangkok

First samples or my ongoing travel photography review of the Canon EOS M.

I am in Bangkok, waiting for my connection to Rangon in Burma. So I thought I could waste some time in infamous Khao San Road in Bangkok. Here are some sample pics, all purposely shot with ISO 3200. Minor adjustments, mainly cropping and straightening. So far auto focus didn’t let me alone. :-)

Do not have enough bandwidth to upload the full sized pics.

 

 

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS vs EF 70-200 f4L IS – A Video Comparison

Thatnikonguy (on Youtube) compared two Canon EF 70-200 image stabilized lenses, the EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS ($2099) and the EF 70-200 f/4L IS ($1349).

Canon 70-200mm IS lenses, f2.8 vs f4. The F4 is half the weight, price and half the light – but is it enough for you? Should you pay the extra for the big boy?

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 70-200 f/4L IS price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

 

Another Canon EOS M Review (Cameralabs)

 

Cameralabs posted a comprehensive review of the Canon EOS M. Canon's super small MILC gets a “recommended” and an 83% score. From the verdict:

Good points

    • Small lightweight simple body.
    • 3 inch 1040k bright 3:2 touch-screen.
    • 18 Megapixel APS-C sensor.
    • Compatible with EF & EFS lenses using adapter.
    • 1080p movies at 24, 25 or 30p.
    • External microphone socket.

Bad points

    • Only 2 native EF-M lenses at launch.
    • Sluggish AF performance.
    • No electronic viewfinder option.
    • Record button dead in non-movie modes.
    • No built-in stabilisation.

See also my first impressions of the EOS M, and stay tuned for my upcoming travel photography review of the EOS M. In a few hours I am heading for Myanmar (former Burma) and the EOS M is in my baggage. Let's see how well the EOS M does for travel photography.

[via Cameralabs]

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STMB&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA